Veteran Al Duke of Ocean Pines served in the U.S. Marines from 1957 to 1967. Duke is a Civil War buff and visits battle fields in his van.

Written by

Susan Canfora
Delmarva Media Group Correspondent

Al Duke is a delightful man, refreshingly youthful at 79 years old, knowledgeable about current events, inclined to use LOL in hand-written memories about his military service.

The Baltimore native enlisted in 1964, during a time of no war.

His plan was to enlist in the U.S. Air Force because he wanted to be airborne, and as a boy built and flew model plans. But when he went to the office where representatives from all branches of the military were represented, the Air Force recruiter was out to lunch. ...